I pulled something in my back when I was doing some abdominal crunches in training and I had to go and see an osteopath. It was fascinating because he pointed out loads of things I didn't even know were going on in my body; areas I can improve on.

It has opened up a new spectrum of fitness and made me wonder whether I need to expand my physical team.

I have a new diet, too, and at the moment I feel great on it all. I'm trying to get down into the details even more than in the past.

It is hard for people who don't do it to appreciate just how physical it is driving an F1 car. The drivers are used to it, but we do have to train really hard.

Because of the position we are in when we are driving, the strain is on different parts of your body.

I didn't know until just recently, for example, that my left hip flexor muscle is my weakest point. I thought I had a pretty strong butt! But I have to strengthen it up because it affects all sorts of other muscles.

I have always worked hard on this, but now I have taken another step in how I can make things even even better.

Aiming for more wins

All in all, it has been a really productive summer and arriving in Spa on Thursday morning, I just felt great.

I was able to go in the simulator and try out some of the new parts we have for this race.

The simulator has been developed a bit since I last drove it, and that feels good because I feel I've been a part of where it's now beginning to go.

I have been able to point out some aspects that it was missing and it's great to feel that some of the suggestions I have been able to offer are now coming on stream.

I feel we are in a good position as a team. We have a good car and we should be competitive but we have to take it one race at a time.

The championship is always in the back of your mind, but you never know what's going to happen on any given weekend. I come here to Spa wanting to win more than ever but it's about managing expectations.

We have a good car so we should be competitive and that gives me a great feeling because I know if I'm at my best I should be able to eke out even better results.

But I don't think I'm
Sebastian Vettel's
main challenger in the championship, as some people are saying.

I come here knowing Ferrari have probably made a step.
Fernando Alonso
is going to be competitive and
Kimi Raikkonen
of Lotus is going to be hard work as well.

I still feel Sebastian's Red Bull is the best car. So they are going to be tough to beat, but I don't feel it's impossible.

Spa - one of the great races

Spa is a cool place. The track is spectacular and if the weather is good, as it was on Thursday, it's a really nice place to be.

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F1: What makes Spa so special?

It's quite chilled. It's not an intense weekend, generally. It's like a real race weekend you would have back in the day.

There's no crazy media demands, or massive amounts of guests. It's just a real race weekend.
Monaco is the glitz and glamour;
this is just a pure race track. I really like that.

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Comments

The race was predictable. In the dry practice sessions the Red Bull and the Ferrari were the quickest cars. Lewis got pole an unexpected pole because he was the last one over the line but I think he - and anyone with a bit of savvy knew that he wouldn't be able to keep that position. And so onto the next one - hope Monza is a bit more competitive than today's race, the GP2 was more exciting.

116. agapeYou really going to sit there and tell me that LH had the fastest car last race in Hungary?Even after seeing the sector times the redbull were pushing in clear air?And also today you telling me the Redbull didnt have the fastest car on the grid?

Anyway, that was nothing compared with saying that you think a lap by Hamilton was slower than vettels by comparing the accurate (probably) atomic clock used by the FIA with your old stopwatch. @TopSportsExpert

Really? Woah that brings a whole different level to the art of trolling! Wow!

@352 daveh

Okay am I big enough to apologise and see that I got that wrong. Maybe I feel extra charged up today. Have been called Hamilton's guard dog on other sites before LOL. Use never expected to defend him on his column after a great quali and a decent race. Fracking bizarre.

@346 for some reason i have this image of you shouting your responses. You're spinning what I've said. At what point did I say he was unhappy today? I just pointed out he seemed generally happier ergo his demeanour with SV. Bullying doesn't become you

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